Crisis Worsens As The Labour Party Suspends Lamidi Apapa and Names Acting Executives

The Labour Party suspended a factional leader, Lamidi Apapa, its national deputy chairman (South), and other officials on Tuesday, deepening the leadership crisis that the party is currently experiencing.

According to a statement authored by Ladi Iliya, national deputy chairperson, and Kenedy Ahanotu, deputy national secretary, the party appointed acting executive members.

They claimed that the National Working Committee members attended a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Asaba where the decision was made.

State party chairmen and secretaries as well as Peter Obi, the party's presidential candidate, were present at the Asaba meeting.

Additionally present at the meeting in Asaba were representatives from INEC, the NLC, and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), as well as the party's incoming federal lawmakers.

The statement also added that the NEC supported the Akure convention's decision to expel its former publicity secretary Arabambi Abayomi.

“NEC considered the disciplinary committee’s report, which recommended the suspension of the former youth leader, Mr Anslem Eragbe and recommended him for expulsion at the next national convention. Pending the next convention, NEC suspends Eragbe indefinitely,” the party’s NEC stated.

It also added, “NEC also suspended the following National Working Committee (NWC) members: Lamidi Apapa, Alhaji Salem Lawal, Favour Reuben, Gbenga Daramola, Samuel Akingbade and Mohammed Akali.”

The National Executive Council established a disciplinary committee with Kennedy Ahanotu, the acting national publicity secretary, Obiora Ifoh, and Edun Kehinde, the acting national legal adviser, as its members. Other members were listed as Anthony Ezeagwu, national vice-chairman (South-South), and acting deputy national secretary Rotimi Kehinde.

The NEC evaluated the general elections for 2023 and noted that INEC did not transmit election results immediately from polling places, opening the door for "massive manipulation."

The party denounced electoral violence and the use of security forces as a tool for voter intimidation and other criminal activity in some regions of the nation.

“NEC noted the resilience and doggedness of our presidential candidate and its resolve to legitimately reclaim its mandate in court. NEC accordingly calls on the judiciary to do the right thing irrespective of whose ox is gored,” said the statement.

It layed emphasises on its confidence for Julius Abure's NWC.